Lift.



PATENTED DEC. 15, 1903.

R. F. CAREY.

LIFT.

APILlOATION FILED JULY 13. 1903.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

no MODEL.

v No. 747,317. 1 PA TENTED DEC. 15, 1903.

- R. F. CAREY.

LIFT.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 13, 1903.

N0 MODEL. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

five/62 0) goaeri z UNITED STATES Patented December 15, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT FALKLAND CAREY, OF ORIOKLEWOOD, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR OF ON E-HALF TO JOSEPH RICHMOND AND COMPANY, LIMITED, OF IIATTON GARDEN, LONDON, ENGLAND, A CORPORATION OF GREAT BRITAIN.

LIFT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 747,317, dated December 15, 1903.

Application filed July 13, 1903.

To all whom it mag concern.-

Be it known that 1, ROBERT FALKLAND CAREY, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at 19 Ash Grove, Oricklewood, Middlesex, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Connected with Lifts, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to operate IO the mechanism of lifts by means of naked electric wires connected to and moving with the cage, the current being placed in or cut out of action automatically as the cage arrives at the position it is desired to be placed and being of the same or of a less power than that of the main supply.

The invention relates to that class of lifts which are operated by making electrical connection by a push-buttonthat is, each floor of a building and the cage are each in electrical connection with the controlling-gear of the lift-so that a person on, say, the ground floor and desiring to go by the lift to the third floor presses the third-floor push-button on a 5 getting into the lift, and the door being closed the electric current or other power will be established and the lift moved to the third floor, where it automatically stops by breaking the circuit, all other floors during the motion be- 0 ing cut out of the current, or a person on any floor wanting to use the lift pushes the button on the landing, and the lift automatically comes to him, up or down, as the case may be, and automatically stops and unlocks the 5 door to admit him.

The invention will be clearly understood from the following description, aided by the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a diagram of a complete eleco tric installation in which the electric power for controlling the movement of the lift-cage is less than that of the main supply, which actuates the lift-cage. Fig. 2 is a front elevation, partly in section. Fig. 3 is a side 5 part section of two insulated blocks for connection to the lift-cage. Fig. 4 is a front elevation'of the two insulated blocks with the contact in position when the cage is at rest and the current cut off. Fig. 5 is an elevation of a portion of the wire connected to the Serial No. 165,361. (No model.)

cage, showing the contact in position when the electric current is flowing and also show ing the push-button contacts in connection. Fig. 6 is an elevation of a solenoid and its appurtenances for locking the push-buttons. Fig. '7 is a side view of one of the rods and levers for locking the push-button. Fig. 8 is an elevation of the solenoid and push-button employed in the cage, the solenoid controlling a rod and levers for locking the pushbutton. Fig. 9 is an inside elevation of two doors of a lift-well, showing the electrical connection and the door locked. Fig. lOis a side view of the electrical contact for fixing in the lift-well wall. Fig. 11 is a view showing the contacts of the well-wall door connected. Fig. 12 is an elevation of a cam to be applied to a lift to actuate the locking device. Fig. 13 is a plan of same. Fig. 14. is an elevation of a locking device, and Fig. 15 a top view of the locking device.

For the purpose of this invention the same is described in connection with an electric lift, the current being of lower voltage than that of the main. Two naked wires 1 2 are connected to an insulating block or blocks 3 4 on the cage, and such wires 1 2 are passed over and under insulated pulleys 5 6, situated at the top and bottom of the lift-well 7, the free ends being connected to insulated blocks 8 9 and being held taut by a coiled spring 10, which also compensates for stretch of the wires 1 2.

Down the lift-shaft 7 at each floor 11 12 13 14 are arranged a series of push-buttons 15, these when being pressed pushing contactpieces 16 against other contract-pieces 17 for establishing electrical connection with contact pieces 18, which act on one or other of the wires 1 2, according to the position of cage 19, such contact pieces 18 being electrically connected, so as to actuate a solenoid or armature of motor to move a switch. The electric current is conducted by a separate lead 20 from a battery or small 5 motor-generator 21, connected to the main supply-wire 22 to a solenoid 23 in the cage 19, and thence by a wire 24: to a switch 25, and from the switch 25 by wires 26 27 to wipers 28 29, these having connection with too the wires 1 2 near the pulleys 5 6 on either side of the insulated pieces, so that on completion of the electric circuit one or other of the wires 1 2, connected to cage 19, becomes a live wire. Each push-button is provided with a collar (see Figs. 1 and 6) and is kept in its normal position by spring 31, and adjacent to the push-button stem 32 and in front of the collar 30 is a rod 33, actuated by a solenoid 34 in electrical connection with the motor-circuit, said rod 33 being connected to a lever 35, pivoted to the lift-well, so that on pressing in a button 15 the contacts 16 17 are connected to make electrical connection to the switch on the motor, which starts revolving and electrically connects the solenoid 34, which actuates each lever 35 either up or down to lock each push-button 15 and prevent movement of same from their normal position, the push-button 15 operated being also locked in the working position, the lever 35 being disposed on the inner side of the collar 30. In lieu of a lever the rod 33 may be provided with rings, which encircle the rods 32 for the same purpose, and instead of one solenoid operating the whole of the lockin g levers or rings each ring or lever may be actuated by a separate solenoid, or the rod or rods may be actuated bya governor appliance, so that the locking can be effected from the movement of the motor or lift. Thus it is impossible to tamper with the action of the lift through any push-button while being used.

The doors 36 of the lift-well on each floor are also electrically connected, so that when they are closed the electric current can be maintained; but the moment either is opened the electric current is broken and the cage cannot be moved until the door is closed. This is effected by running the negative wire 53 in proximity to each door 36 and breaking same at each door by contact-pieces 38, the connection being made by a plug 39, carried by the door, fitting between such contactpieces 38 when the door is closed, as will be understood by reference to Figs. 9, 10, and 11. Each door is locked and unlocked, preferably automatically, in the ordinary manner when the cage 19 is at rest by providing the cage 19 with a cam-piece 40, Figs. 12 and 13, which acts against a projection-lug 41 of the doorlock, Figs. 14 and 15, to push the catch 42 back to release the door 36, the door on closing becoming fastened by the spring 43 moving the catch 42 out, when the cam is removed from the abutment 41, due to the raising or lowering of the cage 19.

Push-buttons 44 are also arranged in the cage 19, and its locking-rod is in connection with a solenoid 23, so that the cage 19 can be operated from the cage to allow the cage to stop at any floor, the arrangements of pushbuttons and locking device being the same as for the floors.

The lift is moved by the motor 46, which is switched in and out of action for rotation in the proper direction by the action of the push-buttons in establishing electrical connection according to which floor the cage is required to stop, and to effect this is the object of the two naked wires insulated from each other and moving with the cage. The wire 2, running from the bottom of the cage, is brought into electrical connection when it is desired to lower the cage, and the wire 1, running from the top of the cage, is brought into action when it is desired to lift the cage, the switch 25 controlling the direction of current for operating the motor in one or the other directions. The switch is electrically connected to the main on each side of the battery or motor, so that the main current can be directed to operate the motor 46 for moving the cage 19 and also for operating the solenoid 34 for locking the push-buttons 15.

Instead of having push-buttons in the car itself a hand-lever may be used to work the switch one way to go up and the other to come down and upon being released by the hand is automatically returned to the center position by a weight or spring, and thus stops the lift.

Theinsulating-blocks 3 4 (see Figs. 2, 3, and 4) are each affixed to a base 47, which is secured to the side of the car 19, and such bases 47 are provided with lugs 48,to which the wires 1 2 are secured, the bases being adjustable to determine the distance the insulating-blocks 3 4 are to be apart. Behind the lugs 48 I arrange a piece of carbon 49, and then. I secure to the base the insulated blocks 3 4, so that perfect insulation is obtained. The degree of distance of the insulated blocks is for adjusting the cage as to position of rest at each floor.

Instead of solenoids being employed for operating the main switch one or two small motors may be employed, one to operate the main switch to send the lift up and the other to send the lift down.

By employing a current of small power to actuate the switch and locking devices no danger can result from persons touching the wires and, further, all sparking is prevented.

Referring to the diagram, the switch 25 is provided with two solenoids 50 51, which are connected to cross-arms of a pendulum 52, which pendulum when in the vertical position, as in full lines, is at rest, or, in other words, the switch 25 is cut off. Now supposing the lift is required to be lowered,a push-button on a floor below the lift is pressed, whereupon the current will pass through the solenoids 23 and 51 and through the contact 29 to the naked wire 2 and away by the contacts 18 and 17 on that floor to the negative main, the solenoid 51 being only attracted, because the solenoid 50 is not in circuit, due to there being no electrical connection with the naked wire 1; but when it is desired to raise the lift electrical connection with the naked wire 1 will cause the solenoid 50 to attract the pendulum, and so alter the switch.

The action is as follows: Suppose the liftcage 19 be in the position shown in Fig. 1 and some one on the floor l3 presses the button on that floor. The current will flow through wire 20 from the battery or motor 21 through the solenoid 23, which raises or lowers its rod and locks all the push-buttons 44 in the cage, thence to the switch and by reason of the connection by the push-button on floor 13, the circuit through that part, if open, so that the electric current will operate the switch for such current to pass through the solenoid 51 and wire 27, wiper 29, naked wire 2, through the contacts 18 and 17 to the negative main 53. The movement of the pendulum 52,attached to the switch 25,has placed the switch 25 for the current from the main 22 to pass by the wire 54 to the motor 46, so as to rotate same to lower the lift, the returncurrent passing by the wire at the same time the solenoid 34 is actuated to lock the push-button 15. This movement of the cage continues until the insulating-pieces 4 on the cage 19 pass between the contacts 18 on the floor 13, when the current is broken. The pendulum 52 immediately returns the switch to the central position and stops the lift. The current no longer passing through the locking-solenoids 23 34, therefore all the buttons are released. Supposing instead of pressing the button on the floor 13 the button on floor 11 is pressed, the action then would be similar, except that the current would pass through the wires 24, solenoid 50, wire 26, wiper 28, naked wire 1, contacts 18 and 17 on floor 11. At the same time the current from 22 would pass to the switch 25 and thence through wire 55 to the motor 46 and back through 54 to the switch 25 and then to the chief negative main 56, the solenoid 34 being actuated to close the push-button 15. The lift continues to ascend until the insulating-piece is passed between the contacts 18 on floor 11, when, the current being broken, the pendulum 25 would return to its central position and the lift would come torest. The action of the push-buttons in the car is similar. The current is taken to the contacts of whichever floor it is desired to reach through flexible wires and which are in connection with the buttons in the cage 19, each of which is marked with the number of the floor to which it is connected. If a door be opened at the moment the car is in front of a floor, (the door at this moment being, of course, unlocked,) the current is interrupted by the circuit-breaker and the lift comes to rest. In the unlikely event of two persons on diiferent floors pushing buttons simultaneously the car will travel to thefloor farthest from thatat which the cage was at rest, when it will stop, unless the person at the intervening floor should stop the lift previously by opening the door as the car passes.

This system is equally applicable to a hydraulic lift, the only difference being the controlling-valve of the hydraulic system would be operated instead of the controlling-switch of the electric lift. The locking of the buttons on the floors would be effected by a small hydraulic cylinder.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In lifts the combination of two naked electric wires insulated from each other and connected to the cage and moving with same, means for establishing electrical connection between either wires and a negative main, and a switch to determine the direction of movement of the cage substantially as set forth.

2. In lifts the combination of two naked electric wires each having one end connected to insulating-blocks on the cage, and after being passed over insulated rollers at the top and bottom of the lift-well, be connected together at their other end by insulating-pieces and a spring, a switch controlling the power for moving the lift, wipers against the naked electric wires connecting each with the switch and contact pieces connecting the naked wires with the negative main, substantially as set forth.

3; In lifts the combination of two naked electric wires each having one end connected to insulating-blocks on the cage and after being passed over insulated rollers at the top and bottom of the lift, will be connected together at their other end by insulating-pieces and a spring, a switch controlling the power for moving the lift, wipers against the naked electric wires connecting each with the switch, contact-pieces connecting the naked wires with the negative main, and means for actuating the locking appliances of the contact devices, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT FALKLAND CAREY.

Witnesses:

RICHARD GORE GARDNER, H. D. J AMESON. 

